As you can tell the Setup of the Canadian Magicjack number went terribly! I did manage to keep a few screenshots.

The about is the screen for the magicjack. Magicjack works great once it is up and running. I find their software could be better.

ADS

Although I am sure they do this so they can SAY they don’t have Ads, I notice how the “Vanity numbers” ad stays on the screen longer then any other information. I’ve already bought the freaking device and I’ve paid Magicjack for my Canadian number. I can’t stand how they use the left side of the software phone to display upgrades for you. Here’s some of the “Ads” that come up on the left side of the software:

Contacts

Being mostly a soft-phone you’d think that the Magicjack could do better then a traditional phone. One thing I have always hated about most phones is if you have a large amount of contacts you can’t really search for them unless you have a smart phone. Magicjack provides no way of searching your contacts. In fact, Most cell phones allow you to make one contact and have multiple phone numbers to that one contact so you don’t need to make a contact look like:

Friend 1 (Cell)

Friend 1 (Work)

Friend 1 (Home)

I’ve only entered 15 or so people and I’ve already had to make 29 contacts. Since you have to “eyeball” the contact to select them from a list.

Real Phone vs Headset

Since Magicjack is essentially a Soft-phone you don’t need a phone. I think I won’t be using a real phone most of the time with it. As you saw in a previous screen the window looks like a phone. You can just use plug in a headset with the computer and talk into it. This will work fine when MOST of your calls will be outbound. I think if you were getting a lot of inbound calls a real phone might work better unless you setup your magic jack to work like this:

As you see I’ve selected my headset to be used for both Talking and listening. For ringing I am using my computer speakers. If you aren’t going to be able to hear the computer speakers or won’t be near the computer then you will most likely need to use a telephone. To get to this screen of setting up the headset you want to switch to the headset first:

Go to the Menu button and then “Switch to headset”.

Once you switch Magicjack to headset then you have to cick on “Volume/Headset control”.

To switch back to the phone:

Switching back and forth between the headset and phone is easy and there is no delay. I am glad they don’t ask.. “Are you sure you want to switch to the phone/headset”.

Canadian Numbers

As you’ve seen in my previous post on the fiasco that was trying to get a Canadian number the one thing I was surprised to see was that I was given the choice of 3 different phone pools. I can’t remember what the numbers were. One of the pools had no free numbers left. The others had tons of numbers left. Because I have a Canadian number with the 204 area code on it I can be in Winnipeg, or Ottawa, Vancouver and anyone can call me FROM Winnipeg as a local number. Unfortunately if I was in Vancouver someone would still have to call long distance. So in essence the phone doesn’t care where you are, you’ve got a local number to where ever you selected the area code.

Issues

The one thing I REALLY wished about the Magicjack from a technology stand point is that it were to use port 80 for communication. Unfortunately because it doesn’t and uses more traditional VOIP protocols,if you are at work and if they have a locked things down on the firewall you won’t be able to use your Magicjack. Here’s an example:

A lot of businesses use ISA server for protecting incoming and outgoing traffic. You’re magic jack would not work unless you talked to your system admin. They would then have to some fooling around with the port rules on the server. If Magicjack were to use port 80, almost every corporation has port 80 open on their firewalls. This would let Magicjack easily work on more networks with one change.

Conclusion

I am happy with my Magicjack now that it is setup. Are there things that could be improved with their software? Definitely! I hope Magicjack starts listening to their clients a bit better. Without us the customer you would be nothing but a whole lot of debt. 😉

I would respond to you that it is a computer system that makes your life much easier by giving you a computer inside your car that is voice aware, touch aware, and can interact with any device using either Bluetooth or with a cable. Did I mention only Ford is the only car manufacturer to give you this option?

You can manipulate the Sync system in you Lincoln MKT very easily. Not only is it very easy and intuitive to use because of the touch and voice input system, it helps with your general safety while keeping you connected with the digital world.

While I am assuming most of you reading this blog a little more technically inclined, I want to personally assure you that using the Microsoft Sync features are a total breeze. Many people have asked me things like:

With all that technology it must be hard to operate. Did you have to read a manual?

It must be distracting while you are on the road.

To the people that asked me these questions my response was:

1.) I did get a really good 10 minute overview of the car from the Winnipeg Ford dealership. How ever the icons on the buttons were big and easy to read. The touch screen on the console was bright and easy to read as well. Most items could be reached with very few click. Even better almost all the commands we voice activated using a button directly on the steering wheel. I didn’t have to read the manual.

2.) It isn’t distracting because the size of the screen, the ergonomic position of the buttons and ease of the voice commands.

Because of how Microsoft designed the structure of the commands it was very easy to navigate software. Because all of the commands were on the screen even novices can easily figure out the voice commands.

For example to use you phone to call someone you would hit the talk button on the steering wheel.

You would say Dial

You would confirm by saying “yes”

You would say the phone number

You would confirm by saying “yes”

You would say “Dial” to dial the phone number you dictated to the car.

If you have a new enough phone the sync software will automatically import your phone numbers and names into it’s system. You could call a person by using their name as well. With newer phones like my wife’s phone you can dictate to Sync and it will send a text message to a person in your contacts list!

Isn’t that amazing? All text messages sent to the phone are displayed on the screen?

This allows you the ability to keep focus on the road and avoid a ticket from the cops as Texting is/will be ticketable driving offense. Much like it’s competitors Ford’s Sync software can make emergency 911 calls for you. While I didn’t have the need to use it I was told it works quite well.

Small things like welcoming you into the car in the morning or afternoon make the MKT feel like it was from Science fiction story from my youth. “Dave, What are you doing…. Dave?”. The only thing with this “story” is that this isn’t science fiction!

Microsoft Sync can work with your MP3 player as well. I had the chance to use both a Zune,iPod Touch and a SanDisk Sansa. The Zune and iPod could be operated by just plugging in the USB cord into the device and then plugging them into the arm rest. Both devices could be completely controlled through voice commands or the touch screen. The Sansa could only be connected using a male-to-male headphone wire. To credit Sync, the Sansa only has one way communication and therefore all commands must be made on the device itself and you would have no visual information on the Sync Screen.

Going back to the ease of use, I used a couple people (who will remain anonymous) to test just how easy someone without any training would do with the voice commands. The people that tested the Sync Software are self described technology noobs. The hardest thing for them was finding where the voice command button was. Once they got the system started, they easily walked through the voice command and made heir first call very quickly.

This is the lat post in the “Lincoln MKT 2010 review” series. I hope you enjoyed it.

The MKT 2010 is the all new luxury crossover from Lincoln. The car features 3 rows of comfort with intuitive technologies. As far as the engine goes, Ford gives owners the option of selecting either the 3.7 Litre V6 or the new 3.5litre V6 EcoBoost Engine. I am using the EcoBoost model that has an estimated 355 horsepower engine. Even with the powerful engine the MKT remains quiet because of the best in class noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) control. There are a couple of reasons why the MKT has such smooth pickup.

Pressurized Direct Injection – This feature helps eliminate the “turbo lag” associated with earlier turbocharged engines. Even with the extra horsepower you can be assured that the MKT has great millage.

EcoBoost – is the global Ford technology that combines direct injection with twin turbochargers and smaller-displacement engine. EcoBoost can match the power of larger aspirated engines yet be better on gas millage.

New Rear Suspension – features a “one for one” shock absorber ratio. This results in responsive handling, a smooth ride and enables the use of 20” wheels!

Every Lincoln comes with world class panel margins, High tactile quality of interior surfaces/trim as well as the brands signature head turning design. There are many hidden gems that one might not notice at first with this crossover. There are too many thing to list but some of the note worthy items like a:

Cooler

Custom Color Led Cup holders

Lights that light up the area outside your car when it’s dark outside

make this vehicle stand out from other luxury brands.

Upgrades

The Lincoln MKT has many upgrades and features for every budget or need. Some of the features you can choose from are:

Active Park Assist can be activated by pressing one button near the stick shift. Unlike competitors that use camera-reliant system, Fords Active Park Assist uses precise ultrasonic sensing system that makes parallel parking a breeze.

Active Park Assist will also work on uphill parking. Again, Ford is the only vehicle manufacturer that has this ability.

Adaptive Cruise Control – You can set and maintain vehicle speed. The Lincoln MKT will use radar to monitor traffic in front of the vehicle. This optional system automatically adjusts the speed and slows the vehicle down to the same speed as the vehicle in front of you.

Push Button Start – allows the driver to enter the Lincoln and start the engine without using the key.Driver carry a special fob as the get close to the vehicle and start the engine by pressing a single button.

SecuriCode Keyless Entry Keypad – allows acces to the MKT by unlocking the drivers door by entering the pre-set 5 digit code. The pad is flush mounted and backlit.

Adaptive Headlights – These lights turn the same directions as the vehicle is turning to allow the driver to see better on turns.

Auto High Beams – This technology allows the car to switch to high intensity when no other vehicles are in range.

Rain Sensing Wipers – Ford has developed an optical sensing system to gauge precipitation to automatically adjust wipers.

MyKey – Allows parents or owners to restrict certain Lincoln MKT features when in the use of a MyKey driver.

Blind Spot Information System – Using radar sensors the MKT can tell if there is an object in your blind spot. The side mirrors will light up orange to alert the driver.

Reverse Camera System – This is a standard feature that uses the navigation screen to display a review shot of your car.

Lincoln Sync – Is standard on the MKT. It is an award winning voice activated communications and entertainment system developed by Ford and Microsoft. It integrates Bluetooth enabled mobile phones and digital media players.

Sync 911 Assist – will notify 911 in the event of an airbag being deployed.

Collision Warning with Braking – provides a drivers with a heads up audio alarm sound. If the driver does not respond the system will pre-charge the breaks to prepare the vehicle for a very aggressive stop.

I could go on and on about all the technology inside your soon to be Lincoln MKT but until you try one for yourself you won’t realize how magical this technology is and how much safer you will be.

Day two of the Lincoln MKT 2010 review

The styling of the Lincoln MKT is bold and stylish. If you like seeing people’s head turn to look at you in your vehicle then you are in for a treat. The interior of the car is also very easy on the eyes. A picture is worth a thousand words so I will just let the pictures speak for themselves.

The pickup in this car is absolutely amazing. It feels like a V8 but is really a V6. Ford has done an incredible job with the timing on the car. You can’t feel the car shift gears.

The front end styling of the Lincoln MKT is boldest design yet from Ford.

The front driver seat has every single luxury you can possibly imagine. What’s even better is that everything has been ergonomically positioned. Because everything has been intuitively designed there is no real learning curve on this car. From this shot you might not be able to clearly see it but the “assisted parallel park button” is right in front of the stick shift and just below the Microsoft Sync Logo.

Even the roof styling is absolutely gorgeous.

Drooling yet? Come back tomorrow for an in depth overview of the Lincoln MKT specs.

Objectives of the Lincoln MKT 2010 Review

I first want to thank Adam Dooley from Dooley Communications and Ford / Lincoln for giving me the chance to drive one of the coolest vehicles on the market. I get to drive a Lincoln MKT from Monday to Friday this week. Ford has started a grass roots project to spread the word about its quality and depth of its product line.

Never being one that likes to copy other people, my game plan for this unique experience is to cover as much as I can about the vehicle. Each day I will be covering a certain group of items in the MKT that will hopefully be related. Because I love technology and my blog is Technology focused you should expect some in depth write ups on the amazing technology enhancements Ford brings to its vehicles. I will be writing about things such as:

Microsoft Sync. The onboard software that allows you to play music off your MP3 player and make hands free calls and text messages!

One touch parallel parking.

Safety features such as the camera on the back bumper, the numerous airbags and setting the safe distance of the car in front of you.

First Impressions

A vehicle’s look is such a personal preference. I think Ford has poured their heart and soul into making this a real head turner. The front of the MKT makes a bold statement. Within the first hour I had 2 complete strangers come up to me in a parking lot and ask me what kind of car it was. One went as far as saying “Great ride!”.

While the Lincoln MKT has very good exterior looks, the inside of the crossover is out of this world. Stepping into the car your body will be greeted with medium-firm leather seats. Everything about the interior screams high-end luxury. You will almost feel like you are in the cockpit of an airplane. The Morray Street Bridge has been terrible for people wanting to turn left onto Roblin Blvd. since the construction started this summer. Driving home in the Lincoln MKT I could care less that only 3 cars were making it through the intersection each light change.

On the way home I tested the hands free calling and GPS unit. Both of the tests were very easy to do thanks to the very intuitive Microsoft Sync software. The software looks after the voice commands and has a very intuitive menu structure on a large touch screen interface.

When I wasn’t making hand free calls I was testing out the THX certified speaker system that comes with a built in 10” subwoofer. Both Power 97 and Sirius Radio never sounded better. The GPS talks to you in such a way you feel that you are listening to a real person. The sound of the music get muted while the GPS gives you directions.

I haven’t completely gone through reading all the specs of the car like what size motor it has or how how large the rims are. The power of this vehicle is unbelievable. The Lincoln MKT is quiet and feels solid. Because of this I find it is very hard to judge just how fast you are going. Be weary of speed traps.

As each day in the review ends I will link the days post to these list items on this page. Bookmark this page if you want to have quick access to all the Lincoln MKT resources!